Chapter 3

Violet's Pov

My mother kept looking at me without saying a word. After a while, she finally spoke.

"So, how do you plan on getting your revenge? How do you plan on dealing with them? Do you have the power or the resources?" She asked.

I shook my head in the negative.

"No, I don't," I answered sincerely.

My mother clucked her tongue in disapproval.

"I will advise you to give up on them and think of your life and how you will survive." My mother advised.

I stared at her in horror.

"No Mother! I cannot leave my son!" I said.

"With the way you are, you don't have a choice. You have already failed him as a mother." She told me.

Her words broke me more and I started crying. My mother did not bother consoling me and I could not blame her because she had warned me and I did not listen.

I was blinded by love and I allowed myself to be used.

The thought of Leonard's betrayal and the pain of losing my son increased my taste for revenge.

I was going to make sure I deal with Leonard and everyone that has hurt me and I will take my son back.

***

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The walls of the house felt tight. My thoughts were loud with different things running through me and my heart wouldn’t calm down.

I kept turning and tossing on the bed. After an hour of trying to sleep and not succeeding, I gave up on sleeping and so I left.

I came outside with no destination in mind. After walking for a while, I found a small bar I needed the noise. I needed something to drown the ache.

I entered inside and the music hit me with full force. It was loud and filled with people laughing and dancing. It was exactly the kind of place I needed. A place to be invisible.

I sat down alone at the far end of the room. I ordered a drink and started drinking it slowly with my mind still filled with different thoughts.

I finished the first one faster than I had anticipated but the ache in my heart was still there and so I ordered another one.

The alcohol burned my throat but it didn’t help. Nothing was helping me at this point.

I stared into the glass, my mind spinning. Then a strange feeling crept over me. Someone was watching me.

I looked around, trying to shake the thought. The bar was full, the faces of everyone blurred by the dim light. Still, I couldn’t shake the chill crawling down my spine. My skin prickled. My breath caught.

Was I being followed? Who could recognize me in this sea of people or had Leonard sent someone to monitor me to make sure I did not do anything?

I rubbed my arms and I tried to ignore it. Maybe it was just the alcohol. Maybe my thoughts were playing tricks on me. But the feeling stayed.

I became uncomfortable after the second drink and I decided to leave. I should leave now that I am a bit sober.

***

Morning came fast. My head throbbed from the drinks. I barely slept.

My phone chimed and I saw a message notification from Leonard. I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise.

What did he want from me? Or had he changed his mind and decided to finally give Gerald back to me?

My heart flared with hope as I opened the message. Immediately I saw the message, every hope I had died instantly.

(Come to the courthouse by 11 am to finalize your divorce) the message read.

The phone dropped from my hand as fresh tears threatened to spill.

So this was the end. Leonard had made his choice. I angrily swiped the tears away as my resolve hardened.

I will agree to the divorce. There was no need to hold on to someone who didn't want to be held.

I might have lost everything but my dignity and self-respect were still intact.

(I will meet you there) I took my phone and typed back.

At exactly 11, I went to the courthouse, my hands were cold and shaking. Leonard stood across from me, dressed in a dark suit, his face was calm. It was too calm.

Francess was behind him. Smiling and smirking triumphantly.

He didn’t look at me. He stared straight ahead like I didn’t exist.

The judge handed us the papers. I saw that Leonard was taking full custody of Gerald. I wanted to protest but I knew that my feeble protest would not hold water.

Mr. Derek was a man of influence and I knew that the judge would not want to be in his black book so I signed them.

My hand trembled as I signed them. My name looked weak on that paper.

Before I turned to leave, I lifted my chin and looked at Leonard straight in the eyes.

“I will take Gerald back,” I said clearly. “You will pay for everything.”

Leonard looked at me and smirked.

“Violet, you can barely take care of yourself. What do you think you can do?” He mocked.

Francess stepped forward, laughing softly.

“You’re pathetic. A broke, bitter ex-con. You lost everything because you were greedy. You wanted his money. That’s all you ever cared about. Now look at you. Alone. Forgotten.”

I clenched my jaw.

"I didn't do it because of the money and you both know it!" I retorted.

Francess only laughed and continued her mockery.

“You’re nothing. That child deserves better. He deserves a real mother.”

At that moment, I lost control. My hand moved fast before I could think and I slapped her hard across the face.

Gasps filled the room. Francess reached for me, rage in her eyes. I was prepared for her. I was ready to pour out my anger and frustration on her but then a small voice broke through the silence.

“Don’t touch my mom!” The voice screamed.

I turned slowly. Gerald stood there, his tiny fists clenched. His body trembled, but his face was full of anger. He ran to Francess and stood in front of her.

“You’re a bad lady! Don’t hurt my mommy!” He shouted again.

My heart shattered. He didn’t know who I was. He hated me.

I took a step back. My legs felt weak. My chest tightened.

Leonard picked him up and walked away.

Francess smiled like she had won.

I couldn’t move. Everything inside me collapsed.

***

I walked outside in silence. I didn’t cry this time. I had no tears left. My feet moved on their own.

Then the world tilted and everything turned black.

***

I woke up slowly. My head ached. The ceiling above me was clean and white.

I wasn’t home. I sat up quickly. My heart pounded.

The bed was soft. The sheets smelled new. The room was quiet, too quiet.

I wasn’t alone. Someone had brought me here. I tried to stand. My legs were weak.

Before I could reach the door, it opened. A man walked in. He was tall with sharp ways and wearing a clean suit.

He looked familiar. His voice broke the silence.

“Conrad Morris.” He introduced himself.

I froze. That name. That face.

My mouth opened slowly.

“Conrad?”

My voice cracked. The last time I saw him was years ago. What was he doing here?

Why now? What did he want with me?